Islamabad, 17 April 2025: Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal has opened up about the reasons behind the franchise’s decision to part ways with Babar Azam ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season.
In a recent discussion, Iqbal revealed that the trade was driven by differences regarding the batter’s role in the team’s batting order.
According to Iqbal, the franchise had requested Babar to shift to the number three position in the batting lineup.
However, the former Pakistan captain reportedly declined the suggestion, preferring to continue as an opener. Iqbal said that the impasse ultimately led to the team releasing Babar.
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Throughout his T20 career, both for Pakistan and in league cricket, Babar has consistently favoured opening the innings. His strategy focuses on building the innings from the top, often acting as the anchor.
In the PSL, he has opened in 76 of his 90 innings, accumulating over 3,100 runs at an average above 47 and a strike rate of 129, which includes 28 fifties and two centuries.
Despite his past success, Babar’s form at the top of the order has faced criticism in recent months.
In the current PSL 10 campaign, he was dismissed without scoring in the opening match against Quetta Gladiators and followed it with a single run against Islamabad United.
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His overall form has also dipped since a 151-run innings against Nepal in August 2023. Since then, he has not registered a century in any format.
During the tri-nation ODI series involving South Africa and New Zealand, he was again underwhelming with scores of 10, 23, and 29.
The selectors, however, retained their trust in him during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
He managed only 64 against New Zealand and 23 against India during the group stage — further fuelling debate about his effectiveness as an opener.
